Method of inhibiting casting problems

ABSTRACT

The teachings provide a fill tube assembly for a casting mold and methods of using the assembly. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially, uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/821,749, filed Aug. 9, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/913,380, filed Jun. 6, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,132,479, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/271,135, filed Oct. 11, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,485,401, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/548,413, filed Aug.26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,936, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/130,217, filed May 30, 2008, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,601,293, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicantSer. No. 10/761,582, filed Jan. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,068,each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fill tubes for transferringmolten metal into a casting mold and, more particularly, to a compliantfill tube assembly that maintains a substantially leak-proof sealbetween the fill tube and the casting mold while accommodatingdimensional variations, due to, for example, thermal changes, toleranceranges, component degradation and assembly errors. The invention alsorelates to a fill tube for the foregoing fill tube assembly and to amethod of use.

Background Information

To avoid commonly known problems associated with casting molten metalsby pouring the melt into a mold, for example, by utilizing theassistance of gravity, molten metals, such as molten aluminum, aretypically bottom-pressure cast also known as reverse casting oranti-gravity casting. One such casting technique is commonly known inthe art as vacuum-riserless, pressure-riserless casting, wherein moltenmetal travels upward from a melting furnace or bath, through a fill tubeand into a mold cavity. At the top of the mold, a vacuum is pulled toevacuate air within the mold. Pressure is then applied to the moltenmetal in the melting furnace, thereby forcing it up, through the filltube and into the evacuated mold. After filling the mold, metal in thetube runs back down into the melting furnace, thereby avoidingsolidification of metal within the fill tube and problems, such as,contamination and metallurgical defects, associated therewith.

Effective vacuum-riserless, pressure-riserless casting relies on anair-tight seal between the fill tube and the casting mold throughout theduration of the casting process. The fill tube in such casting systemscan be made from a variety of materials, such as, for example, titaniumand ceramic materials or any other material which will maintain itsstability, structure and other properties when in contact with moltenmetal. It is well known in the art that ceramic materials exhibit goodmaterial properties in compression, but respond quite poorly to tensilestresses. Accordingly, there has been a longstanding problem in the artof reverse casting of failing or fracturing fill tubes and the inabilityto maintain a continuous air-tight seal between the fill tube and thecasting mold. Many of these problems are associated with, for example,over-tightening the fill tube and thus breaking it while attempting toform a sufficiently tight seal. Another frequent source of fill tubeassembly malfunction stems from very tight fill tube assembly toleranceswhich cannot accommodate dimensional variations or assembly errors. Suchdimensional variations can cause uneven loading and sealing problems atthe fill tube to casting mold interface, permitting the infiltration ofair around the seal into the mold which can result in casting problemssuch as, for example, fill tube failure, leaking fill tube assemblies,production of scrap castings and downtime of the casting process all ofwhich increase the costs of the cast product.

Dimensional variation may result from, for example: thermal expansionand contraction of fill tube assembly components resulting fromtemperature variations during the casting process; design or fabricationerrors or tolerance variations in the fabricated fill tube assemblycomponents; and fill tube assembly component degradation. Fill tubeassembly errors may include, for example: bolt tightening sequencing;overloading of assembly components; and alignment of assemblycomponents.

Known prior art fill tubes and fill tube assemblies typically employ avery rigid, tight tolerance fill tube to casting mold interface andproduce unacceptable tensile stress with respect to both the magnitudeof stress and the size of area exposed to such stress. Additionally,many known fill tubes and fill tube assemblies require a clampingassembly design that requires very tight tolerance requirements in theproduction of the fill tube, which increases cost of production. Otherknown clamping assembly designs have little or no tolerance to assemblyerrors and employ a fill tube design with significant variations incross section that can produce undesirable stress risers. See e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 5,919,392 (discussing the shortcomings of several known,patented, fill tubes and fill tube assembly designs). Such fill tubeassemblies do not provide any compliance to compensate for oraccommodate the foregoing dimensional tolerances of the fabricatedcomponents, dimensional changes due to thermal changes over time orassembly errors. Moreover, typical fill tube assemblies are heavy andnot installation friendly.

There is, therefore, a need to provide a fill tube, fill tube assemblyand method of use thereof that can accommodate dimensional variationsoccurring during assembly of the fill tube assembly as well asdimensional variations due to thermal changes of the fill tube assemblycomponents occurring during casting operations.

There is a further need for such a fill tube, fill tube assembly andmethod of use thereof that can provide and maintain a substantiallyair-tight seal at the fill tube to casting mold interface when employed,for example, in casting operations employing a vacuum, such as, forexample, vacuum-riserless or pressure-riserless casting.

There is, therefore, room for improvement in the art of fill tubes, filltube assemblies and methods of use thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As one embodiment of the invention, a fill tube for a casting moldcomprises: a tubular member having a receiving end, a mold-engaging endand an intermediate portion extending therebetween, the mold-engagingend having a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainderof the tubular member having a generally uniform cross-section.

As another embodiment of the invention, a fill tube assembly fortransferring a fluid into a casting mold, comprises: a fill tube and aclamping assembly structured to maintain a substantially leak-proof sealbetween the fill tube and the casting mold while accommodatingdimensional variations.

fill tube may include a tubular member having a receiving end, amold-engaging end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween,the mold-engaging end having a flange radially extending therefrom, theremainder of the tubular members having a substantially uniformcross-section.

The clamping assembly may comprise: a gasket disposed between the flangeof the fill tube and the casting mold; a load ring disposed over thefill tube and uniformly engaging the flange thereof; a clamping platedisposed over the fill tube onto the load ring, the clamping platestructured to bias the load ring against the flange thereby distributinga uniform compression load against the casting mold and uniformlycompressing the gasket therebetween; and a plurality of fastenersstructured to fasten the clamping plate to the casting mold.

The clamping plate may include a plurality of fastener-receivingopenings corresponding to the fastener-receiving apertures in thecasting mold and structured to receive the plurality of fastenerstherethrough. Each of the plurality of fasteners may extend through thefastener-receiving openings in the clamping plate into the correspondingfastener-receiving apertures in the casting mold, in order to tightenthe clamping plate against the load ring. The clamping plate may bestructured to be spaced apart from the casting mold before the pluralityof fasteners are tightened, thereby forming a pre-load gap, wherein thepre-load gap is structured to compensate for the dimensional variations.The clamping plate may bend towards the casting mold, narrowing thepre-load gap when the plurality of fasteners are tightened, thetightened clamping plate accommodating the dimensional variations.

The fill tube flange may include a mold-engaging face and a non-engagingface, wherein the non-engaging face of the flange is tapered, whereinthe load ring includes a flange-engaging face and a non-engaging faceand wherein the flange-engaging face is tapered to correspond with thetapered non-engaging face of the flange. The tapered flange-engagingface of the load ring may be structured to self-center on the taperednon-engaging face of the flange, thereby distributing a uniformcompression load on the flange when the clamping plate is tightened.

As another embodiment of the invention, a fill tube assembly isstructured to transfer molten metal into a casting mold whileaccommodating dimensional variations in the assembly, the casting moldincluding a fill tube socket and a plurality of fastener-receivingapertures. The fill tube assembly comprises: a fill tube having areceiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion extendingtherebetween, the mold-engaging end having a tapered flange radiallyextending therefrom, the remainder of the fill tube having asubstantially uniform cross-section; and a clamping assembly structuredto maintain a substantially leak-proof seal between the fill tube andthe casting mold, the clamping assembly comprising: a gasket disposedwithin the fill tube socket between the tapered flange of the fill tubeand the casting mold; a load ring, having a taper corresponding to thetapered flange, the load ring disposed over the fill tube and uniformlyengaging the tapered flange thereof; a dimensional compensating ringdisposed over the fill tube and structured to engage the load ring andto establish and maintain a compressive load between the load ring andthe tapered flange while accommodating the dimensional variations; and aclamping plate disposed over the fill tube, the clamping plate includinga dimensional compensating ring adjustment mechanism and a plurality offastener-receiving openings corresponding to the fastener-receivingapertures in the casting mold and structured to receive a plurality offasteners therethrough, the clamping plate structured to maintain a sealbetween the tapered flange and the casting mold while furtheraccommodating the additional dimensional variations.

The clamping plate may be structured to be spaced apart from the castingmold, in order to form a pre-load gap sized to compensate for thedimensional variations, the pre-load gap narrowing when the plurality offasteners are tightened, the tightened clamping plate thereby providingthe further accommodation of the additional dimensional variations.

According to an embodiment, the dimensional compensating ring adjustmentmechanism may include a threaded aperture in the clamping plate, whereinthe dimensional compensating ring is threaded corresponding to thethreaded aperture, wherein the dimensional compensating ring isstructured for threaded insert into the threaded aperture and whereinthe dimensional compensating ring is structured to be rotated to tightenagainst the load ring in order to establish and maintain the compressiveload between the load ring and the tapered flange.

As another embodiment of the invention, a method of transferring moltenmetal, through a fill tube assembly, into a casting mold, comprises thesteps of: providing a casting mold having a fill tube socket and aplurality of fastener-receiving apertures; providing a fill tubeassembly including a fill tube with a tapered flange and a clampingassembly structured to maintain a seal between the fill tube and thecasting mold while accommodating dimensional variations, the clampingassembly including at least a gasket, a tapered load ring, a clampingplate with a plurality of fastener-receiving openings corresponding withthe fastener-receiving apertures of the casting mold, and a plurality offasteners; inserting the fill tube into the fill tube socket, with thegasket disposed between the fill tube and the casting mold; sliding thetapered load ring over the fill tube to engage the tapered flangethereof; sliding the clamping plate over the fill tube onto the loadring; providing a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and thecasting mold, the pre-load gap sized to compensate for the dimensionalvariations; inserting the plurality of fasteners through thefastener-receiving openings in the clamping plate and into thefastener-receiving apertures in the casting mold, and tightening each ofthe plurality of fasteners, thereby tightening the clamping plateagainst the load ring which sealingly compresses the fill tube againstthe casting mold while narrowing the pre-load gap between the clampingplate and the casting mold, the tightened clamping plate accommodatingthe dimensional variations.

The method may employ a clamping assembly further including a threadeddimensional compensating ring inserted within a threaded aperture in theclamping plate and structured to provide further accommodations of thedimensional variations.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a filltube assembly that is tolerant to dimensional changes while maintainingthe required load and seal at the fill tube to casting mold interface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such anassembly that can accommodate dimensional variations due to thermalchanges and component degradation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fill tube assemblysystem that will compensate for normal fabrication dimensional toleranceranges.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fill tubeassembly that is tolerant of assembly errors, such as, for example, bolttightening sequencing, overloading of assembly components, and alignmentof assembly components, which can cause uneven loading and sealingproblems at the tube to casting mold interface.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fill tubeand fill tube clamping assembly that will hold a fill tube in positionwith loads that primarily produce compressive stresses with minimaltensile stress.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fill tubeassembly that is lighter weight than existing designs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fill tubeassembly that is easy to install.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a filltube assembly that is retro-fittable, for use with existing castingmolds, while requiring little or no adaptation thereof.

These needs and others are satisfied by the present invention, whichprovides, among other things, a compliant fill tube assembly, a filltube therefore and a method of use thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a fill tube assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a fill tube assembly inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the fill tube assemblyof FIG. 2 with the clamping plate shown in the tightened position inphantom-line drawing.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a fill tube assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Accordingly, the present invention provides a fill tube assembly andfill tube therefor having a tapered flange at one end and a relativelyconstant cross section along the remainder of its length and anadjustable clamping assembly adaptable to compensate for departures frommanufacturing or fabrication dimensional tolerances; assembly errors,such as, for example, bolt tightening sequencing, overloading ofassembly components, and alignment of assembly components; dimensionalchanges resulting from, for example, thermal changes; and componentdegradation from, for example, recurrent use.

As employed herein, the term “dimensional variations,” refers to changesor misalignment of fill tube assembly components caused by such thingsas, for example, assembly errors, fabricated component tolerance ranges,thermal expansion and contraction and fill tube assembly componentdegradation. As discussed herein, variations in each of thesedimensional parameters has an effect on the ability to maintain asubstantially leak-proof seal at the fill tube to casting moldinterface.

Until the compliant fill tube assembly of the present invention wasdiscovered, such dimensional variations resulted in undesirable andcostly casting problems, such as, broken fill tubes, scrap castings andextended casting operation downtimes. The fill tube assembly of thepresent invention can accommodate, among other things, the foregoingdimensional variations while maintaining a sufficient fill tube tocasting mold seal.

FIG. 1 illustrates a traditional fill tube assembly for transferringmolten metal, such as, for example, molten aluminum, from a meltingfurnace (not shown) or other source of molten metal, through a fill tube2 into a casting mold 4. The fill tube assembly shown in FIG. 1, isexemplary of known prior art fill tube assemblies employed for reversecasting operations such as, for example, vacuum-riserless orpressure-riserless casting. However, it will be appreciated that thefill tube, fill tube assembly and method of use thereof, of the presentinvention can be readily employed in a wide array of casting systems,expressly including, but not limited to, conventional low pressurecasting processes not requiring a vacuum. The fill tube 2 is made from amaterial, such as the exemplary ceramic material, which is substantiallyimpermeable to moisture penetration. It is well known in the casting artthat ceramics are capable of withstanding compressive stresses, butreact quite poorly to tensile stresses.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the fill tube 2 is attached to thecasting mold 4 by an attachment ring 8 tightened using a plurality offasteners, such as the exemplary threaded bolts 10, shown. A gasket 6made from any known or suitable material is disposed between the end ofthe fill tube 2 and the casting mold 4, in an attempt to create anair-tight seal therebetween. As shown, the fill tube 2 has a variablecross-section forming a flange 12. This abrupt variation incross-section at the formation of the flange 12 with relatively sharptransition corners 14 and 16, creates an undesirable stress-riser in theceramic fill tube 2. As is well known in the art, such areas of stressconcentration are susceptible to failure. For example, the flange 12 issusceptible to failure upon over-tightening of the attachment ring 8.Additionally, as shown, the fill tube assembly has very tight tolerancesbetween components. For example, there is substantially no space betweencorners 16 of flange 12 and the casting mold 4. Accordingly, the filltube assembly cannot accommodate or compensate for dimensionalvariations in, for example, the fill tube 2, the gasket 6 or the castingmold 4. Furthermore, the fill tube assembly cannot accommodate assemblyerrors, such as, for example, bolt 10 tightening sequence errors orover-tightening. Moreover, the rigid nature of the fill tube assemblyand the tight tolerances thereof, cannot accommodate dimensionalvariations caused, for example, by thermal expansion and contraction.Each of these dimensional variations effect the sufficiency of the loadon the seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface. If the sealpermits infiltration of air into the casting mold 4, damage to the castproduct will likely occur.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a compliant fill tube assembly 50 in accordancewith the present invention, is shown. As shown, the exemplary fill tubeassembly 50 includes a fill tube, such as the exemplary ceramic filltube 58, having a tubular member 60 with a receiving end 62, forreceiving molten metal (not shown), a mold engaging end 64 and anintermediate portion 66 extending there between. As shown, theintermediate portion 66 of the exemplary fill tube 58 has a generallyannular cross-section in plain view. The mold-engaging end 64 includes aflange 68 radially extending therefrom. The flange 68 includes amold-engaging face 70 and a non-engaging face 72. The exemplarynon-engaging face 72 is tapered, as shown. The tapered non-engaging face72 provides a gradual transition from the intermediate portion 66 to theflange 68, thus minimizing the creation of undesirable stress-risersoccurring in many known prior art fill tubes (see, for example, theabrupt transition of corners 14, 16 of flange 12 in FIG. 1). Forexample, the taper of the tapered non-engaging face 72 is preferably atan angle of about 15-85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane of theengaging face 70, and more preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees.The remainder of the tubular member 60 has a substantially uniformcross-section.

In addition to reducing undesirable stress concentrations, the exemplaryfill tube design 58 is lighter in weight than, for example, the filltube 2 of FIG. 1, which is representative of known prior art fill tubedesigns. While the exemplary fill tube 58 is made from ceramic material,it will be appreciated that it could alternatively be made from anymaterial which will maintain its stability, structure and otherproperties when in contact with molten metal.

Continuing to refer to, the exemplary fill tube assembly 50 furtherincludes a gasket 76 disposed between the mold-engaging face 70 of thefill tube flange 68 and the fill tube socket 54 of the casting mold 52.The gasket 76 is generally annular in shape and may be made from anyknown or suitable material having durability at high temperatures, suchas, for example, above about 800° F. Such materials expressly include,but are not limited to, for example, high-temperature silicon,high-temperature polymers, graphite sheet material commonly known in theart as grafoil, mica and any other known or suitable gasket material.

As shown, a clamping assembly 74 is employed to seal the fill tube 58against the casting mold 52 while compressing the gasket 76therebetween, in order to create an air-tight seal. The clampingassembly 74 includes a load ring 78. As shown, the exemplary load ring78 includes a flange-engaging face 80 and a non-engaging face 82 and hasa generally annular cross-section in plain view. The exemplaryflange-engaging face 80 is tapered corresponding to the taper of theflange non-engaging face 72. The load ring 78 is disposed over the filltube 58, in order to uniformly engage the flange 68 thereof (best shownin FIG. 3).

The clamping assembly 74 further includes a clamping plate 84 disposedover the fill tube 58 onto the load ring 78. The clamping plate 84 isstructured to bias the load ring 78 against the flange 68, therebydistributing a uniform compression load against the casting mold 52while uniformly compressing the gasket 76 therebetween. As shown, theexemplary clamping plate 84 has a generally annular cross-section inplain view. The clamping plate 84 includes at least one fastener, suchas the exemplary plurality of fasteners 88, structured to fasten theclamping plate 84 to the casting mold 52. As shown, the exemplaryclamping plate 84 includes a plurality of fastener-receiving openings 86(four fastener-receiving openings 86 are shown in FIG. 2), which arestructured to receive a plurality of fasteners, such as the exemplarybolts 88, shown, in order to tighten the clamping plate 84 against thecasting mold 52. The exemplary fasteners are a plurality of threadedbolts 88 (two threaded bolts 88 are shown in FIG. 2) inserted throughthe fastener-receiving openings 86 and threaded into thefastener-receiving apertures 56 in the casting mold 52.

As shown in FIG. 3, the exemplary clamping plate 84 is structured to bespaced apart from the casting mold 52 when assembled, in order to form apre-load gap 90 therebetween. The pre-load gap 90 is structured tocompensate or accommodate the forgoing dimensional variations. Forexample, the pre-load gap 90 is preferably sized to be at least as wideas the aggregate of all of the dimensional variations in the fill tubeassembly. More preferably, the pre-load gap 90 is slightly larger thansuch aggregate to provide additional compensation for any unforeseen,additional dimensional variations, such as, for example, thermalexpansion occurring during casting operations. The exemplary pre-loadgap 90 permits the clamping assembly 74 to function similar to a spring.For example, when the clamping plate 84 is tightened, it bends towardthe casting mold 52 near each tightened, threaded bolt 88 (see, forexample, the deflected Belleville washer-shaped clamping plate 84 shownin phantom-line drawing in FIG. 3), thereby narrowing the pre-load gap90 while applying a constant and uniform compressive load at the filltube 58, casting mold 52 interface. This uniform load and the somewhatflexible nature of the bent, tightened clamping plate 84, is sufficientto maintain a substantially leak-proof seal at the fill tube 58, castingmold 52 interface, while simultaneously being compliant enough toaccommodate dimensional variations in the fill tube assembly 50, suchas, for example, thermal expansion, tolerance variations, fabricationdefects and assembly errors.

In comparing the exemplary clamping assembly 74 shown in FIG. 3 to therigid, tight tolerance assembly indicative of the prior art asrepresented, for example, in FIG. 1, the exemplary fill tube assembly 50can accommodate such dimensional variations partly because of theexemplary pre-load gap 90 and partly because of the distinct load ring78 and fill tube flange 68 and clamping plate 84 interaction. Asdiscussed hereinbefore, when tightened, the edges of the exemplaryclamping plate 84 deflect or bend, proximate the fasteners 88, thusnarrowing the pre-load gap 90 while the central portion of the clampingplate 84 engages the load ring 78, which distributes a resultant uniformcompressive load on the fill tube flange 68 and thus the gasket 76,thereby maintaining a fill tube 58, casting mold 52 interface seal whileproviding compliance with, and the ability to accommodate anydimensional variations in the fill tube assembly 50.

Apart from the foregoing, the particular size of the pre-load gap 90 isnot a significant limitation. It will be appreciated that a variety ofpre-load gaps (not shown) may be necessary for different casting molds(not shown), in order to maintain uniform pressure at the fill tubecasting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations inaccordance with the present invention.

As shown, the exemplary load ring 78 has a tapered flange-engaging face80 corresponding to the taper of the flange non-engaging face 72. Thiscorresponding tapered relationship permits the exemplary load ring 78 toself-center on the flange 68, thereby ensuring uniform distribution ofthe compressive load on the flange when the clamping plate 84 istightened. As discussed hereinbefore, the exemplary tapers of the flangenon-engaging face 72 and the flange-engaging face 80 of the load ring 78are both about 45 degrees. Accordingly, the two tapered surfaces 72,80will naturally come to rest in a position wherein the exemplary45-degree tapers will rest fleshly upon one another or “self-center” asshown. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable load ring 78 toflange 68 arrangement (not shown) may alternatively be employed.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative fill tube assembly embodiment 150similar to the fill tube assembly 50 of FIG. 3, but additionallyincluding a dimensional compensating ring 200. As shown, the same filltube 58 is inserted against a gasket 76 within the casting mold 52 filltube socket 54. Additionally, a load ring 178, substantially similar toload ring 78 of fill tube assembly 50 is disposed over the fill tube 58and uniformly engages the fill tube flange 68. However, the load ring178 is compressed against the flange 68 by a dimensional compensatingring 200 disposed over the fill tube 58.

In this embodiment, the clamping plate 184 includes a dimensionalcompensating ring adjustment mechanism, such as the exemplary threadedaperture 204. The exemplary dimensional compensating ring 200 isthreaded with threads corresponding to the threads of the threadedaperture 204 in the clamping plate 184. As shown, in use, the exemplarydimensional compensating ring 200 is inserted into the threaded aperture204 and rotated to tighten against the load ring 178 therebyestablishing and maintaining the desired compressive load between theload ring 178 and the exemplary tapered flange 68. In this manner, theexemplary dimensional compensating ring 200 may be assembled toaccommodate dimensional variations in, for example, the fill tube 58,casting mold 52, gasket 76 or other fill tube assembly component. Forexample, as shown, the exemplary dimensional compensating ring 200 isspaced sufficiently far apart from the fill tube 58 to accommodatedimensional variations, while maintaining a uniform compressive loadsufficient to maintain the seal at the fill tube 58, casting mold 52interface. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theparticular dimensions of this spaced-apart relationship are not limitingas long as a sufficient seal is maintained while having the ability toaccommodate dimensional variations.

Remaining or additional dimensional variations, such as, for examplethermal expansion resulting from the introduction of the fill tubeassembly 150 to temperatures higher than those at which it wasassembled, may be accommodated by the pre-load gap 190 between theclamping plate 184 and the casting mold 52.

Accordingly, the dimensional compensating ring 200 provides additionaldimensional variation compliance. For example, a fill tube assembly, forexample 150, could be pre-assembled with the dimensional compensatingring 200 screwed down or tightened to a specific predetermined preload.Then, the clamping plate 184 and the exemplary pre-load gap 190 betweenthe clamping plate 184 and the casting mold 52 can be adjusted or set tocompensate for additional dimensional variations caused by, for example,temperature variations or variations other than those which wereaccommodated by the dimensional compensating ring 200.

Although it provides additional compliance, it will be appreciated thatuse of the exemplary dimensional compensating ring 200 is not required.In fact, it has been discovered in the present invention thatdimensional variations may be accommodated while maintaining asubstantially leak-proof seal at the fill tube casting mold interface,using the exemplary foregoing embodiment of the invention as discussedwith reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The self-centering load ring 78, fill tube tapered flange 68 and theexemplary clamping plate 84 and pre-load gap 90 provide a low-cost,easily assembled fill tube assembly 50 that is retro-fittable for usewith existing casting molds, and which maintains a substantiallyleak-proof fill tube 58, casting mold 52 interface seal whilecompensating for or accommodating dimensional variations. Accordingly,the exemplary fill tube assembly 50 greatly reduces the incidence ofmanufacturing defects caused by the infiltration of air into the casingmold, fill tube failures and extended casting process downtimes, therebygreatly increasing efficiency of the casting process.

It will be appreciated that the fill tube assembly components may bemade from a variety of materials. For example, the exemplary load ring78 is made from 4130 steel. However, it will be appreciated that anyknown or suitable alternative material could be used. The clamping plate84,184 may be made from any known or suitable material exhibiting highyield strength at elevated temperatures, such as, for example, aboveabout 800° F. For example, without limitation, the exemplary clampingplate 84,184 is made from Inconel. It will also be appreciated thatvariations in the arrangement of the fill tube assembly (not shown),such as, the use of spacer ring (not shown) between, for example, thecasting mold and fill tube flange or between the load ring and theclamping plate, could be employed.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theclamping plate could alternatively have a variable cross-sectionalthickness (not shown) and it is not required to be solid. The clampingplate could, for example, include thru slots (not shown). Moreover, theclamping plate need not have a generally annular cross-section.Similarly, alternatives to other components of the fill tube assemblycould be developed within the scope of the overall teachings of thepresent invention.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details, in addition to thosediscussed above, could be developed in light of the overall teachings ofthe disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed aremeant to be illustrative only, and not limiting as to the scope of theinvention, which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appendedand any and all equivalents thereof.

We claim:
 1. A method of inhibiting casting problems, the methodcomprising: installing an assembly for transferring a molten metalthrough a joint, the assembly accommodating dimensional variations thatoccur in the transfer of a molten metal and comprising: a casting moldoperably connected to a fill tube through a joint used in the transferof a molten metal; and, a non-rigid, pre-loaded clamping mechanismoperably connecting the casting mold to the fill tube to form the joint,the non-rigid, pre-loaded clamping mechanism having a pre-load gap thatfacilitates application of a substantially uniform compressive loadagainst a flange irrespective of the temperature of the clampingassembly to avoid leakage at the joint; wherein the installing at leastinhibits a casting problem.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingconfiguring the clamping mechanism to include the pre-load gap forassembly in a bottom pressure, reverse casting process to substantiallyreduce leaking in the reverse casting process, wherein the pre-load gapis equal to or greater than the dimensional variation.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising configuring the pre-load gap size to exceedan expected aggregate dimensional variation and accommodate for anadditional and unforeseen dimensional variation occurring duringoperation of the casting process.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising configuring the preload gap for a variation selected from thegroup consisting of thermal expansions, tolerance variations,fabrication defects, assembly errors, and combinations thereof.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising configuring the operableconnection between the casting mold and the fill tube is an engaging ofa surface of the casting mold to a surface of the fill tube, and eitherthe casting mold or the fill tube has a tapered non-engaging surfacethat is configured to mate with the non-rigid, pre-loaded clampingmechanism, the taper configured in an amount ranging from about 15degrees to about 85 degrees from a horizontal plane to minimize stressconcentrations from the non-rigid, pre-loaded clamping mechanism.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the configuring includes tapering the taperednon-engaging surface in an amount of about 45 degrees from the engagingsurface.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a gasketmaterial between the engaging surfaces of the first component and thesecond component, the gasket material comprising a component selectedfrom the group consisting of a high-temperature silicon, ahigh-temperature polymer, a graphite sheet material.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the configuring includes configuring the joint toinclude an airtight connection between the first component and thesecond component.
 9. The method of claim 5, further comprisingconfiguring the joint with a clamping plate with a threaded aperture,the force from the non-rigid, clamping mechanism includes the clampingplate with the threaded aperture.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising pulling a vacuum to evacuate air within the casting mold. 11.The method of claim 1, further comprising forcing a molten metal havingan excess upward through the fill tube into the casting mold.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising filling the casting mold with themolten metal.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising draining theexcess downward through the fill tube.
 14. The method of claim 1,further comprising: pulling a vacuum to evacuate air within the castingmold; forcing a molten metal having an excess upward through the filltube into the casting mold; filling the casting mold with the moltenmetal; and, draining the excess downward through the fill tube.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: estimating the dimensionalvariations that could occur during operation of the accommodatingassembly; sealably connecting the casting mold to the fill tube to formthe joint, wherein the sealably connecting includes applying a forcefrom the clamping mechanism having the pre-load gap sized to accommodatea variation at least equal to the estimated dimensional variations; and,maintaining a substantially uniform compressive load against theinterface irrespective of the temperature of the clamping assemblythrough the use of the pre-load gap.
 16. The method of claim 1, whereinthe casting problem includes a broken fill tube.
 17. The method of claim1, wherein the casting problem includes creating scrap castings.
 18. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the casting problem includes extendingcasting operation downtime.